It ain't over for Ginebra, says Tenorio

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra’s LA Tenorio knows his team is down. But he refuses to believe they’re out.

“We’re not going to quit nang ganoon-ganoon lang,” he told the press after the the Gin Kings suffered a 102-81 beatdown at the hands of the San Miguel Beermen in Game Four of their PBA Philippine Cup semis series Thursday night. 

“Hindi talaga madali eh. Pero alam naman namin kung papaano namin sila tatalunin,” the diminutive but tough guard said of facing the four-peat seeking San Miguel Beer.

“Nag-adjust sila kasi natalo namin sila. Chess match ‘yan eh,” he offered. “Pinagbabayaran talaga namin pag nagkakamali kami.”

True enough, San Miguel pounced on Ginebra as soon as they committed errors. The reigning conference champions converted 20 points off the turnovers made by Tenorio’s team.

But with San Miguel’s caliber, the three-time PBA champion said staying alive on Saturday is definitely a steep task.

“Kailangan namin na sobrang pulido kasi we cannot afford to make mistakes especially against San Miguel,” Tenorio offered.

“We just have to really be focused on everything that we do, like every little thing na adjustment namin,” he added.

To be fair, it’s doable. The annals of the league has recorded a comeback from a 1-3 rut. The rare feat was pulled off by also by Ginebra, who was then led led by Robert Jaworski Sr. 

Trailing 1-3 at going into Game Five of the Finals series in 1991, then playing-coach Jarowski, bolstered by Rudy Distrito and import Jervis Cole put up a valiant stand to capture the championship in seven games.
   
“We really have to focused on lahat talaga, every detail na gagawin talaga namin especially next game. We'll be ready, we're not going to quit right away,” Tenorio said.

“We'll be ready, we're not going to quit right away. We've been in this situation so many times playing do-or-die games for 3 or 4 straight games. We'll see. It's not impossible,” he closed.

The Gin Kings will try to live up to their iconic mantra “Never Say Die” when they tangle anew with the Beermen on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome.